"Harmlessness to Helpfulness"
by Rev. Christine
2/8/98

Today we continue with the theme "A season for non-violence" with today’s topic titled "Harmlessness to Helpfulness." The teaching of "Harmlessness" begins in the Old Testament by the teachings of Moses with the Ten Commandments. We understand these Commandments are signs of a person that is committed to the spiritual path.

Yet many didn’t understand that the Commandments were of a higher law. They were followed by fear of punishment, rather than by the heart of no longer desiring to do these things. And so they developed a punishment for breaking the laws which is known as "an eye for an eye." Which is still practiced today in varying degrees throughout the world. Mankind has justified and legalized violence.

Jesus came along to teach the true meaning of the Commandments — the higher spiritual laws. About a thousand years had gone by and mankind still didn’t understand the effects of their actions let alone the effects of their thinking and intentions. The Bible lets us know that people were following some 600 rules each day believing this would get them the rewards of heaven. But, in their mind they were harsh and judgemental. Their daily rituals did no good when all the while caring anger and fear in their hearts.

Then Jesus came along simplifying it to just two laws to live by; teaching the practice of "Love," in Matthew 22:37-39, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Just two rules, based on the one law of Love. Simply stated yet as Jesus tells us, takes a complete commitment of the mind, heart, and soul. We then move through different levels in understanding of spiritual law. We first have a surface level of understanding which we may follow ritualistic practices; working from the outer. Next we move to practicing the inner spiritual life; meditating and praying in silence gaining the understanding how our actions, thoughts, and emotions effect our experiences and our world at large. Finally we awaken to our Oneness in God and God in us. Realizing we are creators. And, move into conscious co-creating with God which is the higher law of "Helpfulness."

Jesus teachings move one from just the outward practice to the heart of it. The first step in committing to a spiritual life is the practice of "harmlessness." We start by taking responsibility for our thoughts, our mindless chatter, and our conversations. Last summer we did a practice for 21 days of non judgement and criticism. I remember people asking do my thoughts count — yes they do. Then if you fell off the program you had to start your 21 days all over again.

John Randolph Price writes about the practice of harmlessness in his book "The Spiritual Philosophy for the New World," stating: "With purpose of mind you remove unloving thoughts from your consciousness and practice harmlessness in thoughts and words. You keep loving in your small circle until you can expand your love nature and truthfully say that you love everyone without exception. And that includes anyone who has ever hurt you, anyone who has ever caused you mental suffering or emotional distress, anyone who has ever pushed your button and caused a flare of resentment. You must reach the point where you can radiate unconditional love to terrorists, murderers, rapists, child abusers, religious fanatics, political extremists. You must be detached and loving toward all!"

This means that when we watch TV, read the newspaper, or listen to the radio that we must censor our thoughts. We remain detached, and grounded in our love. We don’t let the outside world rock our inside state of being. Now we are no longer contributing to the problem. We have detached our energy enabling us to move to the next level of "Helpfulness."

"Helpfulness" is another word for compassion. In Matthew 25:40, "Verily I say unto you, Insasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." And in verse 45 "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." In other words, in serving mankind you are serving God for God is in and as all even the least of them -- the homeless, the mentally and physically ill, those that have committed horrible crimes even these are God’s children and must be served.

And, Jesus also clarified that it is easy to serve those you love, those that are closest to you. But, that we also need to serve those we have called our enemy. In Luke 10:30-35, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, this term is still used for those that do good in the world. The story begins with a man robbed and wounded by theives left to die on the side of the road. A priest comes along, and goes around him. A Levite looked upon him and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He tended to his wounds, gave him room and board, and even some money to get on the road again. Never asking for anything in return.

This Samaritan a stranger to the land, extended himself for a helpless man on the road. Not questioning, not knowing if he was wealthy or homeless. The Samaritan served him as though he were serving God. And so he was.

Yesterday’s paper had a wonderful article in the Religious section. It told of a traveling group of retired Methodist ministers. They move in caravans from town to town, state to state, in their motor home, to help repair churches. They didn’t want to spend their retired years just sit around doing useless things. They want to be of service.

We hear of doing Random Acts of Kindness. Just for the act of doing and bringing joy and hope.

Nona Brooks, from her book "Mysteries," chapter on Thought Transference. In her own words, "The greatest of all methods of thought transference is spiritual realization of the unity of all men. There are many of our brothers seeking the best; let it come persistently from you and me... Let us feed the spiritually hungary. This means cooperation with the law of love. There are seekers everywhere -- in homes, schools, and offices -- and there are broadcasters everywhere. Remember that we can broadcast truth from the kitchen as well as from the platform. Let us be sure that we are receiving our messages from Spirit, and then, broadcast these and no others to the world."

John Randolph Price writes of the "Permanent Atom of Universal Love." This Atom resides in our heart. It is a crystal atom that opens up and radiates as we focus on it in love. Let us take a few moments to activate our Universal Love Atom. Say to yourself "I AM Love, I Am Loved, I Am Loving. I feel the love vibration in my heart. I feel it expanding throughout my entire body; the mental, emotional, and physical body -- all love. All there is is love.

Now see the Atom of Universal Love in your heart center. See it glistening, opening and bursting out radiant rays of light. All the love in the universe is concentrated right there, within you.

This love begins to radiate out into your energy field, expanding out to surround the entire world. Love is radiating deep into the center of the world, and expanding out into the universe. All there is is love. Feel it. I Am Love, I Am Loved, I Am Loving.

Today’s Affirmation: "Today I check my heart before speaking & doing — I Am now truly helpful."